This has been one pretty hectic and exciting Safety Direct Galway International Rally and of course it is a fairytale come true for Eugene Donnelly and his co driver Paddy Toner to take victory in their McGeehan Motorsport prepared Skoda. For years Eugene was known as the Genie for the way he could beat all the odds and take victory on rallies when really it didn’t look possible. This weekend has been out of the same mould for him. It has been a very low budget effort in his Skoda and although he wasn’t the quickest through the first day, when Eamonn Boland and Kevin Lynch had troubles with their Subaru’s Eugene was right there to take advantage. Gareth McHale in the Tom Hogan Motors backed Focus WRC had an up and down day yesterday with many minor problems but had a great run today to set a string of fastest times and take 2nd place. Peadar Hurson came to this rally intent driving with caution in mind, just to clock up a few miles and get back into the grove after his rally lay off. He did a brilliant job in bringing his Subaru into 3rd o/a.
In Group N there was a titanic battle towards the end between Sean Flanagan and Anthony O’Halloran. Sean Flanagan was ahead by just under 3s going into the final stage but O’Halloran pulled out all the stops to record a time almost 9s faster than his rival to take victory. Anthony commented. “The last stage was mental, I was doing Yoga breathing and everything, the first mile the sun was shining right into my eyes, it was tough”. Sean Flanagan’s co driver Brian Duggan just said. “We tried”. Mike Bird/Kevin Keane are the highest placed Galway crew in 8th o/a. Just some of the other outstanding drives include young Tommy Doyle who has won class 7 and finished 7th o/a in his Renault Clio. Young Craig Breen had a great drive to take 10th o/a and win class 3. Galway man Ray Cunningham has won the Historic Rally in his Mini Cooper S finishing just over a minute ahead of Derek Boyd in his Porsche. Wesley Patterson has taken victory in the National Rally in his Escort and his times were probably good enough for 5th/6th o/a in the International.
Eugene Donnelly commented. “We stayed out of trouble today. Every stage we learned something new. The last stage was a real challenge we were spinning all four wheels in 5th gear on the ice. It was a great feeling to be competitive again in this wee car which is not so young. We lost time yesterday with the puncture and the accident but overall we were going well. The team did a great job as did the organisers and the marshals out in the cold”. For Eugene’s co driver Paddy Toner this is a very special rally as it is his first International win. Second placed Gareth MacHale said. “It’s a case of what might have been. I’m a bit disappointed about yesterday but it’s still to get 2nd in Galway in such tricky conditions”. Peadar Hurson said. “The last stage was scary with ice, hailstones and standing water, but this is a good start to the year for me. Great to finish a rally again let alone 3rd”.
This is our final Rally News from Galway and we would like to thank and congratulate Clerk of the Course Gary Leonard and his Deputy, Victor Farrell, plus all the hardworking Galway MC team for laying on such a good event under very difficult weather conditions. Our thanks also to everyone who helped and supported the Rally News service.
